Lancet

by Mary Moran, ChildFund Senior Program Specialist, Early Childhood Development

Earlier this week, I was at World Bank headquarters for the launch of the new Lancet series on early childhood development as a global concern. These studies follow up on new evidence about the impact of early childhood development programs and the risks young children face in their development. They also highlight what things give children some form of protection even when they live in environments of extreme poverty, face high rates of malnutrition or lack stimulation.

Recent evidence demonstrates significant risk for young children’s development when

their mothers are depressed

they live in families where someone has HIV or they are infected themselves

they have had multiple bouts of malaria

they are exposed to violence of any type — within their families, in their communities, or their country is in conflict

they have inadequate developmental stimulation

their growth prenatally has not been adequate

they live in institutions.

However, children are protected when

they have good interaction with their caregivers (parents)

their mothers have more education

they are breastfed

their physical and social environments offer them good stimulation.

ChildFund’s Early Childhood Development programs address these risks and protective features through: